Welcome to Vel

Hi everyone and welcome to my blog.

This is where I will be giving updates on my first foray into the world of fantasy writing. I’ve released the prologue alongside five chapters of my first book, Where The Tempest Breaks, on Royal Road. Chances are you’re on this page as you've found my story through Royal Road, or my Reddit announcement. If so, I am delighted that you’ve taken an interest.

Release Schedule

While I love writing and would love to spend all of my time authoring Wellynd’s journey in the world of Vel, this is not my full-time occupation. That being said, I have roughly written the first third of Where The Tempest Breaks (55,000 words or so), and will be releasing a chapter once per week for the foreseeable future. Each chapter will be shorter than the Prologue. The reason for this is that I feel short chapters work well for the Royal Road platforms, and they allow me to keep a consistent release schedule while I continue to make headway on the book. Eventually, the book will be published as a single text with longer chapters, but for now this works best for the occasionally erratic rhythms of my life; I’m sure many of you can relate.

Feedback

I’d love to hear what you have to say about the book. I have much to learn about writing and I can only gain from criticism. Good things, bad things, whatever you think about the writing and story as it continues to unfold. You can leave your review where you are reading it, or directly to my email (hello at orvaljames dot com). Please be constructive in your feedback, or just tell me what you love or who you hate (we can, for example, all agree that Tyr Druil Halvin is a repugnant man). Just don’t be rude; coincidentally, a lesson Druil never learned.

Patreon

Today is also the launch of my Patreon account. The intention is to gauge interest, and in some future fantasy of mine, help supplement income so that I might spend more time writing. I also would love to provide fans of the series with an opportunity for more stories in Vel. I have an idea to release short stories as part of a growing collection named Tales From Vel. These stories will show other parts of Estioch, adding exposition to characters, countries, and the history of the world. In addition, my sole tier would provide patrons early access to the upcoming chapter, and I hope, in the near future, to begin releasing audiobook readings.

As with my writing, please provide feedback on what you'd like to see from my Patreon.

Safe on the seas,

Orval James